Lead Specialist IV, Process Excellence & Program Management (Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certified)

Summary of the Role: As a Lead Specialist IV, Process Excellence & Program Management (Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certified), you will be responsible for leading the design, deployment and sustainment of continuous improvement and innovation programs across the Philippine Head Operations organization. The role serves as a key enabler of operational excellence by strengthening continuous improvement capabilities at the Professional and Manager levels and driving measurable business impact through structured methodologies, AI-augmented problem-solving, coaching, and a strong culture of innovation. The potential candidate is expected to be a forward-looking continuous improvement practitioner, combining proven CI frameworks with emerging AI-enabled tools and technologies to accelerate problem-solving, unlock breakthrough opportunities, and deliver sustainable performance improvements across the organization. Key Responsibilities and Role Accountabilities: I. Continuous Improvement Program Leadership Architect and own the end-to-end Process Excellence roadmap aligned to Head Backend Operations strategic priorities. Lead and facilitate improvement initiatives using structured methodologies like AI enabled Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and DMAIC frameworks across cross-functional teams. Define, track, and report program KPIs including cost savings, cycle time reduction, yield improvement, and defect elimination. Partner with Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing teams to identify and prioritize high-impact improvement opportunities. II. AI-Augmented Problem Solving Champion the integration of AI tools (generative AI, machine learning, predictive analytics) into the standard problem-solving toolkit for Professionals and Managers. Apply AI-assisted root cause analysis using pattern recognition and anomaly detection models to accelerate diagnosis of complex, multi-variable manufacturing problems. Leverage Large Language Models (LLMs) and prompt engineering techniques to support structured ideation, failure mode analysis, and process documentation generation. III. Innovation Enablement Champion structured innovation methodologies augmented by AI-powered ideation tools to generate and prioritize breakthrough ideas. Use AI-assisted brainstorming platforms and prompt frameworks to systematically unlock unconventional solutions from Professionals and Managers. Develop and manage innovation pipelines in collaboration with program owners; Manage ideation workflows. Integrate innovation platforms and tools with AI-generated prompt libraries to enhance idea quality and volume. Create safe-to-fail environments that encourage experimentation, AI-assisted prototyping, and rapid iteration. IV. Mentoring & Capability Development Serve as a primary mentor and coach for Professionals and Managers in applying process improvement, problem-solving, and AI tools. Design and deliver structured mentoring programs including one-on-one coaching, group workshops, and on-the-job application support. Guide mentees through real-world improvement projects from problem definition to solution implementation and control — incorporating AI at appropriate stages of the DMAIC cycle. Assess individual capability gaps and create personalized development plans tied to CI and AI skill progression Build and sustain a certified practitioner pipeline across the organization V. Training & Knowledge Management Develop and maintain a Process Excellence curriculum that integrates traditional CI tools with AI applications covering foundational to advanced topics for varying experience levels Facilitate workshops, simulations, and learning sessions on Lean tools, root cause analysis, statistical methods, AI-assisted analytics , and change management Curate and manage a centralized knowledge repository of best practices, project templates, AI prompt libraries, and lessons learned Drive cross-site knowledge sharing and benchmarking within the broader Western Digital Global Operations network VI. Stakeholder Engagement & Culture Change Build influential relationships with senior leaders, functional managers, and front-line professionals to embed CI and AI-augmented thinking as standard practice Champion a continuous improvement and AI-enabled innovation mindset as a visible culture ambassador within the organization Communicate program progress and impact to Director and VP-level stakeholders through structured business reviews Recognize and celebrate improvement achievements to reinforce positive behaviors and sustain engagement Education and Work Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, Organizational Development, Statistics or a related field of study. Academic or professional exposure to Lean Management, Six Sigma, Process Excellence, Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, or Innovation Management is highly desirable. Atleast 7 years of professional experience in a relevant field. Industry exposure in the Electronics or Semiconductor Manufacturing setup is highly preferred. Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification is required. Candidates with demonstrated Master Black Belt-level project experience are highly preferred. Skills and Competency Requirements: Ability to apply AI tools, including generative AI, machine learning, and data analytics, to solve operational and engineering challenges and deliver measurable improvements. Proficiency in Minitab, MS Project, Power BI, or equivalent tools, with familiarity in AI/ML applications and digital ideation and collaboration platforms. Ability to mentor and develop professionals, influence peers, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to drive improvement initiatives. Ability to connect improvement initiatives to business outcomes and anticipate future capability requirements, including opportunities enabled by AI and emerging technologies. Ability to proactively identify, evaluate, and apply AI-enabled solutions, translating new capabilities into practical, site-level business impact. Ability to introduce innovative thinking frameworks and AI-augmented ideation approaches, fostering an environment that encourages creativity, experimentation, and continuous improvement. Ability to critically evaluate AI-generated outputs and ensure appropriate levels of explainability, fairness, accuracy, and compliance with organizational policies and standards. Ability to translate complex data, analytical findings, and AI-generated insights into clear, compelling narratives that build understanding and trust across all organizational levels. Ability to navigate ambiguity and lead individuals and teams through AI adoption, resistance to change, and broader organizational transformation. Other Requirements: Open to employment opportunities in Binan City, Laguna, CALABARZON, Philippines. Open to an on-site reporting work arrangement. Open to a dayshift work schedule. Important Reminders: We provide free medical examination. We do not collect any original requirements. We do not collect any fees at any stage of the hiring process. WD thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution. WD is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying. Notice To Candidates: Please be aware that WD and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately to WD Ethics Helpline or email . WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy. As AI scales, so does data. Every interaction, every model, every system generates data that must be stored, managed, and made accessible over time. That’s where we come in. We combine deep engineering expertise with global-scale manufacturing to deliver the storage systems that make AI possible, powering hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide. This isn’t theoretical work. It’s real systems, at real scale, people solving some of the hardest challenges in technology today. We’re looking for people who want to build, solve, and operate at that level. Join us and let’s shape the future of data.